Aquaculture in South Carolina
Aquaculture is the farming of fish, oysters, and other aquatic animals and plants for food. South Carolina specializes in mariculture, a type of aquaculture focused on cultivation of marine species in their natural environment.
Technical Assistance
The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium can help producers and farmers support environmentally friendly and economically viable operations.
Contact Josh Kim, Aquaculture Extension Specialist
South Carolina Aquaculture Toolkit
Products for Growers
A suite of research-backed resources for existing shellfish growers and people wanting to start an aquaculture business. The toolkit includes a guide to permitting, financial planning tools, and more.
Fact Sheets
Oyster Farming in South Carolina Fact Sheet
Oyster Summer Mortality Event Fact Sheet
Oyster Farming Messaging
Shellfish Risk Management Resources
Aquaculture Research
Sudden Unexplained Mass Mortality Events on Southern Oyster Farms
Oyster Resubmergence Trials
Consumer Purchasing Decisions Around Oysters in South Carolina
The S.C. Shellfish Industry Faces a Challenging Recovery After COVID-19
Seafood Consumption Preferences and S.C. Aquaculture Products
Impacts of COVID-19 on South Carolina’s Shellfish Industry
COVID-19’s Impact on South Carolina’s Oyster Farms
Economic Benefits of Aquaculture
The Economic Contribution of Oyster Mariculture in South Carolina
The Potential Benefits of Increased Shellfish Mariculture Production in South Carolina
Recent Updates in Aquaculture
How Extension Supports Shellfish Aquaculture in South Carolina
The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium supports and assists shellfish farmers through our team of extension specialists focused on living marine resources.
Flipping the Cages on Sustainable Aquaculture 2024 Sampling Conducted
The first round of sampling in a study on Vibrio spp. levels in farmed oysters during routine cage drying was conducted this summer by the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.